Scholz added that gatherings at which “anti-Semitic slogans are shouted” and “the death of people is glorified” cannot be accepted. “A clear edge is required” here.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made a similar statement: “These are processes that we simply cannot tolerate,” he said on Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk. These would have to be prosecuted.
Since Hamas’ major attack on Israel, there have been repeated demonstrations of support for the radical Islamic Palestinian organization in Germany. In Berlin-Neukölln, several groups of people gathered illegally on Wednesday evening and threw fireworks, stones and bottles at the police officers. 65 officers were injured. The police eventually used water cannons and pepper spray and arrested numerous protesters. Unauthorized pro-Palestinian protests also occurred in other German cities, including Frankfurt and Nuremberg.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) condemned the attacks on police officers in Berlin “in the strongest terms.” There is “a high level of freedom of assembly” in Germany and it is also “okay for people to demonstrate on the streets,” she said at the meeting of EU interior ministers in Luxembourg. But the use of violence is “not okay,” especially not against emergency services. “We don’t accept this form either,” emphasized Faeser.
There were cross-party calls for decisive action against the violent and anti-Semitic protests on Thursday. Hatred of Jews and destructiveness against Israel must have “no place in our country,” emphasized Union faction leader Friedrich Merz (CDU). “A tough crackdown by the police and the judiciary is therefore now advisable.”
FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr also called for “a clear response from the constitutional state.” What is happening on German streets are crimes “that we will not tolerate.” There should be no “enforcement deficits” here; in the end there must be convictions.
The security of Jewish life in Germany is “the democratic obligation of all of us, everywhere and at all times,” said the chairwoman of the Green parliamentary group, Britta Haßelmann. “Decisive action” is therefore needed.
AfD leader Tino Chrupalla called for the “consistent” deportation of potential threats. Hamas and structures close to it should not be financed by the Federal Republic; the announced ban on Hamas activities must be enacted “promptly”.
In order to send a signal against anti-Semitism and for solidarity with Israel, a broad alliance of democratic parties and civil society organizations called for a rally in Berlin on Sunday. The motto of the event is: “Stand up against terror, hatred and anti-Semitism – in solidarity and compassion for Israel.”
